If you were planning on storing a vehicle for an extended period of time, and wanted to do it "right", what are the necessary steps to make sure it stays healthy and happy? What is considered "long term" when dealing with concerns about gas and oil and other stuff.

Jack stands, and deflate tires. I just went through storing some basically new tires for a couple years, and they had some pretty good cracking when I revisited them. I think the problem was I stored them at operating tire pressure.

Sad to see a new set of 5 BFGs go bad because of your own ignorance...

Real question is stored how long? We store Marianne's convertible in the garage for the winter every year. I just put STA-BIL in the fuel tank and disconnect the battery. Longer than that I might consider draining the fuel tank and jack stands. I would not drain other fluids but probably plan on changing some of them upon return to service. You should also prevent critters from making a home in a stored vehicle.

Real question is stored how long?..... Longer than that I might consider draining the fuel tank and jack stands..... You should also prevent critters from making a home in a stored vehicle.

I have heard the opposite about draining the tank especially just for winter storage. Sta-bil in the tank and then fill it before it gets stored. This is supposed to prevent moisture building up in the tank. That being said, I bought a Honda that had been in storage for 3 years with a half a tank of gas. With a fresh battery, it fired right up and then did the "Fast Pass" with the old gas and oil! When my Packard gets put away each winter, I make sure to put Sta-bil in the tank and run it for a while to make sure it mixes in and makes it to the carb. I do make sure to start her once every 4 to 6 weeks.

stabil in the tank and run it through the carb. fill all fluids, put on jackstands (under axle ok if it's an over the winter thing, for longer, under the frame) unhook the battery and put on trickle charger

Good stuff thanks. I hadn't considered filling the tank, since it would seem like it would then make it harder/longer to eventually burn off the older gas. If you have a car in long term storage, and only start it periodically to get the juices flowing, then imagine how long it would take to empty that tank. Is stabil that good of a product that it could protect a tank of gas for years?

And the definition of "long term" is definitely subjective. It sounds like anything less than a year should just be battery and some gas additive. 2+ years or more, then you've got other things to consider.